Walmart Canada unveils 200th Supercentre

MISSISSSAUGA, ON, Dec. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, Walmart Canada opened the doors of its 200^th supercentre located in Edmonton, Alberta. Today's grand opening marks a major milestone for Walmart Canada. The company opened its first supercentres in Ontario in 2006.  Today, Walmart Canada has supercentres in six provinces and 373 stores nationwide serving more than eight million customers each week.

"Our 200^th supercentre and 73 projects to be completed this year will make 2012 a major milestone in Walmart Canada's history," said Jim Thompson , Walmart Canada's chief operations officer. "Walmart Canada is a strong business getting even stronger.  We are Canada's fastest growing retailer. The demand for everyday low prices and one-stop shopping remains high and we are responding with our biggest year ever of grand openings."

Walmart supercentres are a Canadian-favourite format. They offer a larger assortment of merchandise, combining Walmart's traditionally strong general merchandise with a full selection of groceries including bakery goods, deli, meat and dairy products, and fresh produce.

"The more communities we join, the more supercentres we open, the better we are able to deliver on our commitment to provide Canadians with one-stop shopping, convenience, selection and everyday low prices," added Thompson.

In supercentres and across its entire chain, Walmart Canada has made significant improvements to its customers' shopping experience. Customers will appreciate the store's updated design, which includes easy-to-navigate aisles with directional signage, a bright interior colour palette, which help define the store's merchandise areas, lower shelving throughout for an improved sightline and trendier merchandising.

The Edmonton-Abbottsfield Walmart Supercentre is one of 73 real estate projects planned for the company's current fiscal year, which will add 4.6 million square feet of retail space to its operations by January 31, 2013. The 73 projects include building new stores and expanding, remodelling or relocating existing stores and represent an investment of more than $750 million in Canadian communities. These projects include 39 former Zellers stores and will generate more than 14,000 store, trade and construction jobs.

Edmonton-Abbottsfield Walmart Supercentre Fast Facts

• Walmart Canada's 200^th supercentre
• Located in Abbottsfield Mall at 3210-118 Avenue Northwest
• Former Zellers location renovated to look and feel like a typical Walmart
• 73,000 square feet of retail space
• 100 associates
• $10,000 in donations presented to local charities
• Convenience services include a pharmacy, photo centre, connection centre for wireless services, and Western Union

About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a growing chain of 373 locations nationwide serving more than one million customers each day. Its flagship online store, walmart.ca, serves over 250,000 customers per day with online shopping and free shipping on 1,000s of items. With over 90,000 associates, Walmart is one of Canada's largest employers and is recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as having one of Canada's top 10 corporate cultures. Walmart Canada is focused on helping Canadian families in need. Since 1994, Walmart has donated and raised more than $160 million to Canadian charities and not-for-profit organizations. Additional company information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/@walmartcanada.

SOURCE Walmart Canada